Well this NBA season is sure shaping up just how New York basketball fans want it to. The Knicks and Nets rivalry continues to grow as members of both sides continue to go back and forth through with the trash talk.

The latest jab was at the Knicks and came at the hands of new Nets acquisition Paul Pierce. When asked about J.R. Smith’s comments about the Nets, the former Boston Celtic replied with a simple, “Who?”

According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, when Smith’s name was repeated to Pierce, he again replied “Who? Who are we talking about right now? Exactly.”

The shot was in response to Smith’s comments earlier this month in which he said that Pierce would have to “pay” for his remarks about the Nets taking over New York City. Smith would go on to say more than that about the future Hall of Famer:

“I just look at him as a bitter person just getting out of Boston,” Smith said. “He doesn’t really know what New York is all about. He’s been playing in Boston his whole career. He just knows, just know that his words have consequences and he’s going to have to pay for them.”

Smith, as well as teammate Ray Felton have been involved in some jawing with the Nets through the media in an effort to build up a New York City rivalry between the two clubs. The Nets that have responded were guys that came over from Boston earlier this off-season, many of whom had bad blood with Knicks players last season. All indications are pointing to a heated Knicks-Nets rivalry in 2013-14.

Paul Pierce (left) and J.R. Smith (right) should see plenty of each other this season now that Pierce plays for Brooklyn. PHOTO COURTESY: USA TODAY SPORTS VIA CBSSPORTS

So let’s recap the battles that we may see between the Knicks and the Nets this year: First, we have J.R. Smith versus just about everyone on the Nets roster. Then, even though everything seems to be hunky-dory between the two, we have Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett possibly reliving the whole “Honey Nut Cheerios” fiasco. To top it all off, the owners have been going at it, which Commissioner David Stern had to put an end to.

Because of this, one has to ask; will this continue until the season begins? The season starts at the end of October, but the first game between the two teams will not be until Dec. 5 when the Knicks travel to Brooklyn. That will be the first time New Yorkers will find out who owns the city.